The College of Liberal Arts CATS Initiative
What is the CATS Initiative?Upon the completion of an ambitious five-year strategic plan, the College of Liberal Arts has made it a priority to meet and engage disconnected alumni to strengthen the bond between the college and our alumni. The Connecting Alumni to Students Initiative (CATS) is an innovative method of reaching our graduates through our bright, talented students. The CATS Initiative employs student ambassadors to conduct one-on-one interviews with disengaged alumni to learn more about their AU experience, their path since graduation, and what Auburn and the College of Liberal Arts means to them. By participating in the CATS Initiative, CLA alumni are not only furthering the mission of the College of Liberal Arts but also adding value to the education our students receive by sharing their wisdom and real-life experiences. What is the CATS Interview? A face-to-face interview is the essential component of the CATS Initiative. This personal contact is an effort to foster a more substantive dialogue between the College of Liberal Arts and its alumni. It is not a survey, but instead, a sincere, meaningful way to connect with alumni on a deeper level to develop new portals for alumni involvement based on their own interests and individual motivations. The CATS interview has three areas of exploration: overall experience and influence of AU/CLA; familiarity and perception of AU/CLA; and personal interests. Each interview is approximately 45 minutes. How will CATS help the College of Liberal Arts? Our goal of 500 CATS interviews over the next academic year is ambitious, and we need your help. Your participation will assist the College of Liberal Arts in meeting our goals to:
Your feedback will be used to determine how we can best advance our mission to “foster a community in which students, faculty, and administration have an understanding of the human condition, a respect for individual and cultural differences, and a desire for the free exchange of ideas.” “As a graduate you are an integral part of the Auburn Family! We want to hear your stories, thoughts and suggestions about your College of Liberal Arts experience. By participating in the CATS Initiative, your voice can be heard. Our student ambassadors are not soliciting you for money, asking you to volunteer or make any other commitments to the college. The interviews are fun, informal discussions where our students will ask questions and listen to what you have to say. By sharing your experiences and opinions with our students, you can make a difference in how we serve our alumni and current students. If a student ambassador contacts you, please consider giving them 45 minutes of your time.” Dean Anna Gramberg CATS interviews are currently being conducted in Birmingham, Atlanta, Montgomery and Auburn/Opelika. If you have not been contacted by a CATS ambassador and are interested in participating in the CATS interview, please complete the interview request form and we will contact you. For more information about the CATS Initiative, contact: Wendy Bonner, Program Manager |
Dr. Anna Gramberg Dean
Wendy Bonner '97 |
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